Peace Hunter

Meanwhile, while Miss Karina, Queen Kayana, and the others were discussing, I was talking to Charles.

"You seem fine, Rid. What about the Demi-Human who tried to kill me earlier?" Charles asked.

"I managed to defeat her," I said.

"You're truly amazing, aren't you? You even defeated a professional fighter," Charles said.

"However, I didn't have time to ask her for much information. Even though she was down, we could at least get some information by holding her down and waiting for her to regain consciousness. But she suddenly disappeared along with the leader of this academy's assault team, whom Miss Karina had already defeated," I said.

"Wait a minute, how do you know that Miss Karina defeated the leader of this academy's assault team? Wasn't Miss Karina in front of the academy's lobby, guarding Chloe, Caroline, Irene, and Senior Gretta there? Meanwhile, you fought that Demi-Human in the academy's forest," Charles said.

"That's because I knocked that Demi-Human out of the way in front of the academy lobby. I followed her ​to the academy lobby to check on her. When I got there, she was already down, and at the same time, I saw Miss Karina fighting the Demi-Human who was the leader of this attack group," I said.

"That was truly unexpected. Not only did you defeat her, you even knocked her out of the academy forest and into the academy lobby," Charles said.

"Yes, that's how it is," I said.

"By the way, regarding the disappearance of the Demi-Human you defeated, the humans and Demi-Humans who had been defeated also disappeared here. They all vanished after a thick fog suddenly appeared. It seems the fog was created by magic performed by a female Demi-Human resembling a cat who suddenly appeared here. While that Demi-Human was only a clone, she was so powerful that she was able to injure Senior Vyn and the others," Charles said.

"So that Fairy came here too, huh?" I said.

"A Fairy?" asked Charles, looking confused.

"Yes, the cat-like Demi-Human that Senior Vyn and the others fought was actually a Fairy. She used disguise magic to transform himself into a Demi-Human. Miss Karina and I discovered this after she also appeared in front of the academy lobby in Demi-Human form. Then, just as we were about to attack her, she suddenly transformed into a woman with pointed ears like an Elf and bright wings. From those characteristics, there's no mistaking her as a Fairy," I said.

"How could a race that rarely shows its face be here and attack this academy?" asked a surprised Charles.

"I don't know, their identity is still very mysterious. You must be careful in the future, Charles. Especially since you are the reason they attacked this academy. Miss Karina seems to be discussing this matter with Her Majesty the Queen, as I also told her the attackers' reason for attacking this academy. It seems this academy will be under strict surveillance and guarded going forward," I said.

Then, while we were chatting, a fourth-year student I didn't recognize suddenly approached. The fourth-year student had previously caught my attention because he was with the other Elevrad members.

"Hello," the fourth-year student said.

"Hello too. What's up, senior?" I asked.

"Nothing. I just wanted to say hello. I've been interested in you since you won the previous academy tournament, even when you were a first-year student. Your match with Vyn in the final was amazing," the fourth-year student said.

"Thank you for the compliment, senior," I said.

"Oh, that's right, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Marco Stabile. As you can see from the badge I'm wearing, I'm a fourth-year student at this academy. Nice to meet you," said senior Marco.

"Nice to meet you too, senior. My name is Rid Archie," I said.

"I'd love to fight you, but it doesn't seem like I can anytime soon. I'll be graduating soon, and the daily matches are closed and will reopen in the new school year after I graduate. It seems I'll only be able to fight you once we meet again someday," said Senior Marco.

"I'm flattered that a fourth-year senior wants to fight me so much. If we do meet again someday, I wouldn't mind if you fought me," I said.

"Okay. That's all I wanted to say, then I'll be going. It might be a bit late to say this, but I'm asking you to stop because it might interrupt your conversation. Well, see you later, Rid, Prince Charles," said Senior Marco.

Senior Marco then left, leaving the two of us.

"It seems the 'prince of swords' is interested in you, Rid," said Charles.

"'Prince of swords'?" I asked.

"Yes. Senior Marco is the son of the kingdom's supreme commander, Oliver Stabile. Commander Oliver is known as the 'King of Swords' in this kingdom for his swordsmanship. Therefore, his son also earned the nickname 'Prince of Swords.' But that nickname isn't an exaggeration, as Senior Marco also possesses excellent swordsmanship skills," said Charles.

"So Senior is Commander Oliver's son. No wonder he also has 'Stabile' in his name. I guessed he was related to Commander Oliver, and it turns out he is Commander Oliver's son."

"So Senior is strong and he also has the nickname 'Prince of Swords' huh, but why didn't he participate in the academy tournament? I didn't see him participate in it," I said.

"From what I know, Senior Marco already won this tournament when he was in his second year. He didn't participate in the third year or even this fourth year, perhaps because he no longer had any interest in participating in the tournament he had already won," Charles said.

"Well, that makes sense. After all, people have different personalities. Some still want to participate in tournaments even after winning, and others don't want to participate anymore," I said.

While Charles and I were chatting, the discussion between Miss ​Karina, Queen Kayana, and the others had concluded. Afterward, Duke San Quentine, Duke San Angela, Duke San Minerva, and the Duchesses accompanying them were seen approaching their respective children, who happened to be nearby. Duke San Lucia was seen heading back toward the inn with his knights. Meanwhile, Queen Kayana, King Albert, and Miss Karina were seen approaching me and Charles. I didn't see Commander Oliver among them, but it turned out that Commander Oliver was approaching Senior Marco.

"Rid Archie, I've heard from the principal that you saved Charles from the Demi-Humans who were trying to kill him. I want to thank you for your actions. I intend to reward you for this. Is there anything you want?" asked Queen Kayana.

"No need, Your Majesty. I'm purely helping Charles because he's my friend. I don't expect any reward," I said.

"But your contribution this time deserves a reward. Not only did you save Charles, my son, but you also managed to obtain information about their ultimate goal in attacking this academy. Furthermore, you also helped the principal protect Chloe, Caroline, Irene, and Gretta, who were being protected by the tree the principal created. You even fought again with a Demi-Human who was trying to kill Chloe and Caroline while they were both inside the tree. With this much contribution in fighting the attackers, there's no way I won't reward you. Just tell me what you want, and I'll definitely grant it if I can," said Queen Kayana.

I fell silent, contemplating something.

"I could probably ask Her Majesty the Queen to accept me directly into the San Fulgen royal army, but I've already decided to become a knight of Duke San Lucia after graduation. I'm curious about the Ice Dragon that lives in the Orokho Mountains, so I'll be joining the expedition aimed at slaying it. Therefore, my chances of joining the Duke San Lucia army are greater if I join the Duke San Lucia army than the royal army. Besides, Irene said that even if I become a Duke's army, I can still be nominated as a commander of the royal army," I thought.

Then, after a pause and some thought, I began to speak.

"Excuse me, Your Majesty. I still don't know what I want as a reward, because honestly, this is the first time I've received a reward like this. But if Your Majesty still wants to give me a reward, perhaps a monetary reward would suffice," I said.

"Money, Huh. Hmm, you're right. After all, you're academy students, especially first-year students. Of course, money is more useful for you to survive at this academy. Even though the academy provides you with a monthly allowance, it still feels like it's not enough, right?" asked Queen Kayana.

"No, in fact, I never spend my monthly allowance, and I still have some money from winning academy tournaments. So you could say I'm quite frugal while living at this academy," I thought.

"Hmm, considering your contribution earlier, how about I give you 10 million Larx as a reward?" asked Queen Kayana.

I was surprised to hear that.

"10 million Larx?!?! 100 times the monthly allowance this academy gives me? Isn't that too much, Your Majesty?" I asked.

"No, no, considering your contributions, this amount is indeed appropriate. Especially since you saved Charles, Chloe, and Caroline from danger. Isn't that right, dear?" Queen Kayana asked King Albert.

"That's right, we haven't prepared the monetary reward yet, but please accept it," King Albert said.

I fell silent.

"If I refuse, this will lead to a long argument. And also, if I refuse, I'll feel bad. I'd better accept it," I thought.

"Okay, then I accept the reward, Your Majesty," I said.

"Okay, I'll prepare the money right away. Perhaps I can deliver it to you tomorrow," Queen Kayana said.

"Anytime you want to deliver it is fine, Your Majesty," I said.

Then, while we were happily chatting, several knights from the direction of the inn suddenly ran over. They informed us that Chloe, Caroline, Irene, and Senior Gretta had regained consciousness. Hearing this, we immediately rushed to the academy lobby.

-

In the academy lobby.

As soon as we arrived, Queen Kayana immediately hugged Chloe and Caroline, who were sitting. King Albert and Charles also joined them. Senior Gretta was seen being approached by several Elevrad members, such as Senior Alisha and Senior Vyn. Meanwhile, Duke San Lucia was chatting with Irene, who had also sat down after being in bed for a while. Leandra and Lily were also nearby. Meanwhile, I watched them from a distance.

"Why aren't you gathering there, Rid?" asked Nadine, who suddenly approached me.

'Gathering there,' meaning Nadine was gathering with Irene, Leandra, Lily, and Duke San Lucia.​

"I may be her current boyfriend, but I'm still a stranger in her life. Besides, it hasn't even been a year since I started dating Irene, and those currently gathered around Irene are those closest to her. So I decided not to join in," I said.

"Hmm, I see," said Nadine.

Then Nadine walked away from me and headed towards Irene, who had just regained consciousness. After that, I decided to go to Noa and the others, who were also in front of the academy lobby.

Not long after, Nadine came back to me, who was chatting with Noa and the others.

"Rid, Lord Duke San Lucia wants to speak with you," Nadine said.

"The Duke of San Lucia wants to speak with me?" I asked.

-To be continued